What is the Best Garmin Golf Watch for YOU? (All Models Compared)

There’s no question Garmin makes some of the best golf watches on the market.

Overall, when we’re talking about a complete line of products, nobody’s got the golf watch sector covered like Garmin. It’s really not even particularly close.

But with so many models, so many features, and price tags that range from $200 to more than $2,000, well, it can get overwhelming fast.

Each of these Garmin watches is good in its own way. That’s the problem.

It becomes really easy to overpay for features you’ll never use. Or to miss out on something that would actually help your game. Sometimes it’s hard to understand if that extra $300 is really worth it or just marketing hype.

That’s what I’m going to try to help you with here. I’ve worn each of these Garmin watches, and I’ve got opinions to share.

Beyond that, there have been so many ongoing changes to keep track of. Models come and go. New features emerge. I thought it’d be worth a look at the current Garmin lineup in 2025 and the watches that I think are worth considering.

I’m definitely not trying to claim I’m the last word on Garmin. But I will say that I’ve got a solid handle on what separates these products from each other. And I think I can help you find the right fit.

If that sounds good, let’s get into it.

Making Sense of the Garmin Lineup

If you’ve ever browsed Garmin’s golf watches and thought, “Wait, what exactly is the difference between these?”, you’re not alone. The product names are similar. The designs overlap. And a lot of the spec sheets read like copy-paste jobs.

And in some cases? Honestly, the differences are relatively minor. But when jumping across product lines, that’s when those differences get exaggerated.

Here’s how I think of the Garmin lineup. What each watch actually does well. Where they fit. And most importantly, which type of golfer each one is really for.

Garmin’s lineup really breaks down into three types of watches:

• Pure golf wearables
• Fitness-first multisport watches that happen to do golf extremely well
• A high-end luxury model that’s as much about prestige as performance

In this post, I’ll walk through every current Garmin watch that plays in the golf space, including what makes each model stand out, what you’re paying for, and what type of golfer it’s best for.

Let’s start with the basics.

Garmin’s Dedicated Golf-First Watches

If you want solid golf features like yardages, course maps, and score tracking without paying for extras, Garmin’s Approach S12 and Approach S44 are where you start.

These watches are for golfers who don’t need fancy fitness metrics or club recommendations. If you want reliable data, long battery, and low price, these two deliver that promise.

With both of these, I generally think they’re going to be best if you’re looking for a golf only watch. Meaning, you don’t want to use it as your day to day smart watch.

This doesn’t mean you can’t, but if that’s your goal there are other options that are better.

Garmin Approach S12 ($199)

• Display: High-contrast monochrome screen — sharp and easy to read in daylight, but no color graphics.
• What makes it stand out: 43,000+ preloaded courses, basic hazard yardages, score tracking, and simple club sensor support (CT10, not CT1).
• Why it works: Lightweight, simple, reliable, and affordable.
• Downsides: Limited on features outside of basic GPS yardages. No AMOLED screen.
• Perfect for: Golfers who want reliable yardage and score tracking with nothing extra and at an excellent price point.

Garmin Approach S44 ($299): Still Basic but with an AMOLED Screen

• Display: Full-color 1.2-inch AMOLED screen — a major step up in visibility, clarity, and polish from the S12’s monochrome look.
• Smart features: Basic phone call/text/email notifications when paired with a smartphone.
• What makes it stand out: This is where Garmin starts to blend style with substance. The S44 gives you the same 43,000+ preloaded courses, hazard yardages, and scorekeeping as the S12 but adds a vibrant touchscreen and sleeker design. It has the 18 hole bezel for score keeping. It also introduces basic smart features, like phone notifications and gives you a much more modern interface.
• Why it works: The screen alone makes a big difference in day-to-day use. You can see more detail on the hole layout, navigate quicker, and just feel like you’re wearing something made in the last five years.
• Downsides: Display isn;t quite as good as other models. Only two physical buttons. Despite being a dedicated golf model, you need a subscription to upgrade to better map graphics.
• Perfect for: Golfers who want a better visual experience and a little extra off-course versatility without getting into heart rate zones or sleep tracking. If the S12 feels too barebones but you don’t need a full fitness wearable, the S44 hits a sweet spot.

Read our full Garmin Approach S44 review here.

Garmin Approach S50 ($399): A Smarter, Sportier Take on the Golf Watch

Garmin’s Approach S50 marks a real turning point. It’s not just a golf watch anymore. It’s a proper smartwatch that blends full-featured golf performance with solid fitness and wellness tools.

The S50 is the middle of the road in the Garmin golf watch lineup, and I think it really is the best fit for the most number of potential golfers.

• Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED — bright, crisp, full color. Looks and feels like a modern smartwatch.
• Golf features: 43,000+ CourseView maps, PlaysLike distance, hazard layout, score tracking, and CT-series club sensor compatibility.
• Smart/Health features: Full health suite — wrist heart rate, stress tracking, Body Battery, sleep analysis, activity profiles, plus Garmin Pay and music.
• What makes it stand out: Think of the S50 as the likely sweet spot for a lot of shoppers. It bridges the gap between the simplified S44 (or even more simple S12) and the feature-packed S70. Unlike earlier Approach models, the S50 doesn’t just lean into smartwatch/fitness, it fully embraces it. With a cozy nylon band and plenty of health and fitness tools, it feels less like a golf-only watch and more like an everyday wearable with solid golf features.
• Why it works: It’s genuinely Garmin-smartwatch-grade without requiring you to pay full flagship price. It looks slick, tracks your game, and supports your off-course life all without feeling like it’s too much.
• Downsides: I don’t love the two-button system. Screen is smaller than S70. Having to pay for enhanced display is kind of a bummer.
• Perfect for: Golfers who want a true all-around watch. You’re not just getting yardages, you’re tracking sleep, energy, workouts, heart rate trends. Yet you still get PlaysLike, PinPointer, hazard information and other on-course features when it’s time to play.

Read our complete Garmin Approach S50 review.

Quick Note: With both the S44 and the S50 the graphics and some capabilities are not as detailed as in the S70 or other watches we will mention below.  BUT, if you join the Garmin Golf Membership for $99/year, you can upgrade these watches to include the more detailed maps as the higher end watches.

Garmin Approach S70 ($649-$699): Garmin’s Most Advanced Dedicated Golf Watch

If the S50 is the well-rounded crowd-pleaser, the S70 is the showstopper. It’s Garmin’s most premium (non-MARQ) golf-specific wearable, and it feels like it. You’re getting every feature the company has to offer for golf, all wrapped in a high-end AMOLED package that’s slick enough to wear all day.

• Display: 1.2-inch or 1.4-inch AMOLED — rich colors, bright even in direct sun, and responsive to touch.
• Golf features: 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps, PlaysLike distance, Green Contour data (with subscription), AutoShot tracking, club recommendations, wind data, PinPointer, hazard views, and much more.
• Smart/Health features: Full Garmin health and wellness suite — wrist heart rate, sleep tracking, Body Battery, Pulse Ox, Garmin Pay, music storage, phone notifications, and more.
• What makes it stand out: The S70 is the only watch in Garmin’s golf-first lineup that truly rivals the premium multisport models in terms of hardware quality and smartwatch depth. But it’s still tuned with golf as the main focus. That means things like automatic shot tracking and green contour data actually feel intuitive and accessible, not buried beneath layers of menus.
• Why it works: If you’re a serious golfer who also values style, tech, and health insights, this is Garmin’s best all-in-one golf watch. It’s not cheap, but it definitely feels like you’re getting every dollar’s worth.
• Downsides: It is more touch screen reliant than true multisport watches, with 3 buttons rather than 5. It doesn’t have all the fitness features of those watches either.
• Perfect for: Golfers who want top-tier features without going full multisport. If you’re the type who plays four times a week, tracks your workouts, and wants your golf tech to feel like a luxury watch instead of a hiker’s tool, this is the Garmin to buy.

Read our in-depth S70 review.

Garmin’s Fitness-First Multisport Watches That Also Nail Golf

This is where things get interesting. Garmin’s epix Pro and fenix 8 weren’t built for golfers first. But if you’re the kind of person who’s just as likely to be training for a run or tracking a hike as you are to be playing golf, these watches might be exactly what you’re looking for.

They’re more rugged, more capable, and definitely more feature-packed than the Approach models. And they come with every golf feature you’d expect, even if Garmin doesn’t market them that way.

Garmin epix (Gen 2) ($550): An Incredible Opportunity at this Price

The epix 2 does 90 percent of what the S70 does on the golf course and 50 percent more off it. Combine that with an attractive price, and this is an easy recommendation.

I’ve seen the epix Pro gen 2 get down as low as $550, which is well below its $900 MSRP. But outside of those sale periods, you can find the previous generation (non Pro) Epix Gen 2 for around $500 pretty consistently on Amazon.

For loaded multisport capability and top-tier golf features, it represents a solid deal even if the watch is a few years old.

• Display: Bright AMOLED (416 x 416), nearly as crisp as the S70’s 454 x 454, sharp in the sun. Available in 42, 47, or 51 mm models.
• Golf features: Full-color CourseView, PlaysLike, Hazard View, Green Contours, Virtual Caddie, AutoShot, CT sensor support.
• Adventure tools: Offline TopoActive maps, SatlQ multi-band GPS, ABC sensors, built-in LED flashlight.
• Health & sport: Comprehensive suite — 24/7 HR, HRV, Body Battery, sleep/stress, Performance/Hill/Endurance Scores, real-time stamina, animated workouts.
• What makes it stand out: This thing is just loaded! It might be Garmin’s most feature-complete outdoor smartwatch ever. Everything from its gorgeous AMOLED screen and flashlight to serious controls for triathlons, skiing, hiking — and yes, golf — is built in. It even includes offline topographic maps.
• Where it splits from the S70: The golf interface isn’t quite as refined — no hole indicators around the bezel and stat entry takes a couple extra taps.
• Downsides: This watch is now two generations old. The display doesn’t look quite as good as newer models, and updates may get fewer and farther between as it continues to age.
• Perfect for: Athletes and adventurers who prioritize health tracking, mapping, and durability but refuse to compromise on golf features.

Read why the epix 2 is still a solid option.

Garmin Venu X1 ($799)

Think of the Venu X1 as Garmin’s refined fitness-first option — super sleek, with a brilliant square screen that rivals even Apple’s displays. For what it’s worth, this is the golf watch that I’m currently rocking daily.

• Display: 2-inch AMOLED under sapphire lens, set in a slim 8 mm titanium caseback with a comfy nylon strap. To my eyes, this is the best Garmin golf watch screen ever.
• Golf features: Includes full-CourseView for 43,000+ golf courses, hazard yardages, PlaysLike, green contours, CT10 sensor support (but not CT1). Basically, the same golf brains as fenix and Epix, just wrapped in a slicker shell.
• Health and Fitness: Full wellness suite —24/7HR, HRV, Body Battery, Pulse Ox, advanced sleep coaching, Training Readiness/Status, animated workouts, multisport including golf and triathlon.
• Smart/Outdoor perks: Built-in speaker/mic for calls, voice assistant, Garmin Pay, music, maps, flashlight, ABC sensors, dynamic routing.
• What makes it stand out: Best display and comfort in Garmin’s lineup. A square screen that’s legible, polished, and feels premium. It’s a fenix 8 under the hood, but slimmer and sleeker.
• Downsides: Battery life is not as strong as other watches. No multiband GPS or EKG. Only two buttons, so you have to rely on touch screen for most actions.
• Perfect for: Golfers who want serious fitness tracking and golf smarts but in a wear-anywhere, stylish form —especially if touch screens and aesthetics matter.

Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED ($900+)

• Display: 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4-inch AMOLED or memory-in-pixel (MiP in Solar/E versions)
• Golf features: 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps, PlaysLike, Hazard View, Green Contours, Virtual Caddie, CT sensor support, and more.
• Outdoor tools: SatlQ GPS available, flashlight (non-AMOLED models), extensive topo and satellite mapping via Outdoor Maps+.
• Health/sport: Similar suite to epix Pro (VO2 max, training readiness, full multisport modes) with added speaker/mic and dive support on select versions.
• What makes it stand out: Sits above the Epix Pro in pricing (essentially it’s just the newer model of that watch) but adds voice/mic, dive functions, and a broader solar option line. Visually, it carries a more rugged, tactical look, even though under the hood it’s very similar to the Epix Pro.
• Downsides: Bulky and expensive. May be too rugged looking for day-to-day use for casual golfers.
• Perfect for: Those who want Garmin’s top outdoor features and battery with a more hardcore tool-watch aesthetic or voice/dive capabilities.

Read a full fenix 8 deep dive here.

Other Notables:

• Garmin tactix 7 ($1,045): Basically a military-spec fenix with golf features. Overkill for 99 percent of golfers, but worth a look if you’re in tactical or field-based professions.
• Garmin Forerunner 965 ($549.99): Lightweight, AMOLED, runner-first — but it does have golf. If you’re more of a runner who dabbles in golf, this could work.

Garmin’s Luxury Golf Watch 

When you go further up the Garmin golf watch line, it’s no longer about more performance or features. Now, it gets into build quality and general “wow” factor.

Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) ($2,300)

This is Garmin’s luxury play. The MARQ Golfer Gen 2 is built on the same platform as the epix Pro, which means you’re getting pretty much the same features. But everything here is turned up a notch in terms of materials and craftsmanship.

• Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED with domed sapphire lens.
• Build: Grade-5 titanium case, ceramic bezel, tritone Jacquard-weave nylon strap.
• Golf features: 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps, PlaysLike, Hazard View, Green Contours, Virtual Caddie, CT10 sensor support, and more.
• Smart/Fitness: Full wellness suite, multi-band GPS, ABC sensors, flashlight, topographic mapping, etc.
• What makes it stand out:  It’s the only Garmin golf watch that’s trying to be a luxury watch first. The materials, finishing, and presentation are in a completely different league. Even the packaging is high-end. You’ll pay a premium, but the differences are very apparent.
• Why it works: If you want everything Garmin can do for golf but also want to wear something that wouldn’t look out of place with a blazer or at a high-end function, this is it.
• Downsides: This watch is now nearly 3 years old. I personally want to buy one of these, but I’m holding off for a Gen 3.
• Perfect for: Golfers who don’t mind spending big to wear something exclusive. If you love golf and luxury watches, the MARQ Golfer is where those worlds meet.

Here’s What I Recommend

If you’re still not sure which Garmin golf watch to go with, let me make it simple:

Want the best all-around watch for your active lifestyle?

If you golf, hike, run, train, or just want the most tech for your dollar I’d get the Venu X1. Honestly, I’m a little surprised to be saying this, but the more I wear it, the more I love it.

As long as you’re ok with taking the hit on battery life, and using the touch screen more frequently than with other watches, it does all of the stuff most people need out of the fenix 8, but is $300 cheaper, and more wearable on a day-to-day basis.

If you’re on more of a budget? Look for an Epix gen 2 for around $500 on Amazon.

Just want reliable yardages and want to spend the least amount possible on a Garmin?

Get the Approach S12. It’s basic, accurate, and gets the job done for 200 bucks.

Want something basic but with a much better display and a touchscreen?

Go with the Approach S44. It’s still affordable, but the AMOLED screen makes a huge difference.

Looking for the best all-around value that blends golf, fitness, and smart features?

The Approach S50 is probably your best bet. Great balance of function and polish without spending S70 money.

Want Garmin’s best golf-first watch?

That’s the Approach S70. It has everything — the best screen, most features, and great style.

Want a bulletproof watch that can do everything?

Go for the fenix 8. This is one of the most capable fitness watches ever created, and they’ve updated their smart watch capabilities as well.

This is the watch I’d been wearing for months until the Venu X1 came out. And I may still switch back.

If you’re active, adventurous and you want a watch that will do everything you ask of it (and then some), the fenix 8 is a phenomenal watch.

Want the fanciest, flashiest Garmin money can buy?

That’s the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2). It’s a statement piece. And honestly, it’s gorgeous. I’m just curious to see if they release a new one sometime in the next year.

Final Thoughts on the Best Garmin Golf Watches for 2025

Garmin’s golf watch lineup isn’t exactly simple. Especially because so many of their watches include golf features that aren’t ever talked about in the product’s marketing.

But this guide should help you narrow things down. If you’re looking for a Garmin golf watch, these are the watches I’d consider. After that, it’s a matter of picking which one includes the features, look, and price that best matches with what you’re looking for.

And thankfully, Garmin’s lineup is strong enough that no matter where you land, you’re getting a well-built, thoughtfully designed piece of tech that actually helps you play better golf.

So if you don’t want to spend more than $200, you don’t have to. You’re still getting quality in the S12.

But if you want to spend beyond $2,000, you’re going to get a return on that investment. Garmin’s higher-end products are legitimately higher end.

If you’ve still got questions, let me know in the comments. I’ve literally lived with these watches, and I’d be happy to help more if I can.

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